or bringeth forth, but with his knowledge.  Nor is any thing added unto the age of him whose life is prolonged, neither is any thing diminished from his age, but the same is written in the book of God’s decrees.  Verily this is easy with GOD.  The two seas are not to be held in comparison:  this is fresh and sweet, pleasant to drink; but that is salt and bitter:  yet out of each of them ye eat fish, and take ornaments for you to wear.  Thou seest the ships also ploughing the waves thereof, that ye may seek to enrich yourselves by commerce, of the abundance of God:  peradventure ye will be thankful.  He causeth the night to succeed the day, and he causeth the day to succeed the night; and he obligeth the sun and the moon to perform their services:  each of them runneth an appointed course.  This is GOD, your LORD:  his is the kingdom.  But the idols which ye invoke besides him have not the power even over the skin of a date-stone:  if ye invoke them, they will not hear your calling; and although they should hear, yet they would not answer you.  On the day of resurrection they shall disclaim your having associated them with God:  and none shall declare unto thee the truth, like one who is well acquainted therewith.  O men, ye have need of GOD; but GOD is self-sufficient, and to be praised.  If he pleaseth, he can take you away, and produce a new creature in your stead:  neither will this be difficult with GOD.  A burdened soul shall not bear the burden of another:  and if a heavy-burdened soul call on another to bear part of its burden, no part thereof shall be borne by the person who shall be called on, although he be ever so nearly related.  Thou shalt admonish those who fear their LORD in secret, and are constant at prayer:  and whoever cleanseth himself from the guilt of disobedience, cleanseth himself to the advantage of his own soul; for all shall be assembled before GOD at the last day.  The blind and the seeing shall not be held equal; neither darkness and light; nor the cool shade and the scorching wind:  neither shall the living and the dead be held equal.  GOD shall cause him to hear whom he pleaseth:  but thou shalt not make those to hear who are in their graves.  Thou art no other than a preacher; verily we have sent thee with truth, a bearer of good tidings, and a denouncer of threats.

There hath been no nation, but a preacher hath in past times been conversant among them:  if they charge thee with imposture, they who were before them likewise charged their apostles with imposture.  Their apostles came unto them with evident miracles, and with divine writings, and with the Enlightening Book:  afterwards I chastised those who were unbelievers; and how severe was my vengeance!  Dost thou not see that GOD